Being in the Here and Now in a Crisis

If you’ve been swinging between dealing with right now, and worrying about the future, you’re probably on par with many people. There are a few different opinions on this and I’ve given it some careful thought – right now the most useful place you could put your attention is on the here and now. I will write again about how to be thinking about the future, because of course there is going to be one – and a bright one at that – but today I want to encourage you to let that go for the moment and be in the here and now. Especially if your future-thinking currently involves either catastrophizing or ‘What if-ing’. Neither of which will do you or your nervous system any favours.

There is enough to deal with right now, with kids coming out of schools, working from home, businesses closing, etc without us trying to figure out the rest of the story right now. The planet is basically being given a reason to stop, like really pause, and take a breath. So do that.

The pandemic will take its course, we will come out of lockdown, normality will return (hopefully a new and improved version which is my prediction) and all sorts of opportunities will present themselves. However, that is all happening later.
Right now is where it’s at.

A few ways to be in the moment and why –

Take stock for a moment of your physical home situation and everything that gives you comfort. Your favourite room, the sun streaming in the windows, the books or old vinyl’s you love, the comfort of your bed, your view, the backyard or proximity to a park or beach. Everything that makes it feel good to be there. Why? Gratitude is a powerful emotion and thought pattern that the most resilient people are masterful at.

Let yourself arrive into this moment and feel that you are okay. Pat your body, feel your arms, your legs, your torso, run your hands over your face and hair and really feel your complete physical experience of being alive and okay. Why? This helps your nervous system settle and feel more connected to your physical wellbeing. You are alive. You are okay.

Make the most of this time. If you’re working from home now, enjoy staying in your PJs. If you’re off work, take time to rest and not fret. If you’re about to be home with your kids, make the most of that. And for heaven’s sake, get creative. Get the kids to build tents in the house to sleep in or make up their own boardgames. Turn it into holiday time. No one said physical-distancing had to be boring or serious. In the confines of your own home, be as silly and fun as you like.

The point is, going with the flow of the moment is sometimes the smartest thing to do, and the most enlivening, because you’re literally not trying to swim against the current.

Rather than wishing things were normal, that you could get that work project finished or be more sure about next month’s salary, just being in this moment and being okay with that being okay.

We are being called to let go of certainty, and bring in trust and hope.

All will be well.

Take one day at a time. Take all unnecessary pressure off. Let yourself be in this now moment.